Impact Youth Programs
Get To Know Our 2023 Fuego Youth Leadership Cohort
Cathy Niland | 7.5.2023
Each year, during our four-week Fuego Youth Leadership Program, high school students work with a faculty mentor to deepen their industrial art knowledge in a specific department and create a final project that exemplifies what they’ve learned. Participating students also build leadership skills and learn about artistic career pathways as paid teaching assistants, helping instructors during Youth Summer Camp classes.
This summer, our Fuego Youth Leadership Program returns for its fourteenth year. Nine Bay Area high school students, including four returning participants, will grow their skills in Bike Shop, Blacksmithing, Ceramics, Glass Flameworking, Jewelry, and Welding.
Walter Yip stands with his Shopping Go-Kart during the 2022 Fuego Youth Leadership Program reception.
Returning Fuego Youth Leader, Walter Yip, plans to build off of his 2022 project with a similar concept. He shared, “Last year I created a go-kart out of a shopping cart and wanted to do something even greater this year by using a garbage can as my starting point.”
In addition to studio time, Fuego Youth Leaders will visit other West Oakland organizations like City Slicker Farms and CASS, Inc., where they’ll build greater community connections and explore additional opportunities for industrial career pathways.
Our 2023 Fuego Youth Leadership cohort has already completed their first week of programming. We’ll be sharing more from our Fuego Youth Leaders throughout the summer, but in the meantime, you can get to know our nine youth artists below.
Ava Grochowski, age 17
Second-year Fuego Youth Leader in Woodworking
School: Piedmont High School
Q: Why did you want to return for a second year as a Fuego Youth Leader?
A: I came back for a second year because I had a really great time and felt very accomplished with what I was able to create during my first summer.
Calder Gifford, age 15
First-year Fuego Youth Leader in Ceramics
School: Drew High School
Q: What are you most looking forward to as a Fuego Youth Leader?
A: I’ve been working with ceramics for a long time and realized that I could take classes here at The Crucible. I’m excited to continue making some cool art and help out with summer camps.
Christian Shinhoster, age 16
Second-year Fuego Youth Leader in ARC Welding
School: De Anza High School
Q: What are you most looking forward two in your second year?
A: I’m most excited to further my creativity this year and to see how that transfers into my final project.
Gabrielle “Gabe” Carpio, age 17
First-year Fuego Youth Leader in Jewelry
School: McClymonds High School
Q: What kind of art do you like to make?
A: I’m still learning, but I don’t want to pigeonhole myself into a specific jewelry style. Currently, I’m making pieces utilizing the woven wire technique to create intricate, detailed rings.
Issaeon George, age 17
First-year Fuego Youth Leader in Welding and Bike Shop
School: Ridsdale High School
Q: What are you most looking forward to as a Fuego Youth Leader?
A: I’ve been working on bikes for a while and am excited to incorporate the bike shop and welding to create a final project that I’m proud of.
Lavender Chen, age 18
Second-year Fuego Youth Leader in Jewelry
School: UCSD
Q: What are you most looking forward to in your second year as a Fuego Youth Leader?
A: Everything! There’s just so much to do here—different opportunities, people to talk to and learn from, plus lots of cool materials to work with. I just love creating and The Crucible is a great space to create and learn.
Mikaela Santos-Stevenson, age 18
First-year Fuego Youth Leader in Blacksmithing
School: College of San Mateo
Q: What are you most looking forward to as a Fuego Youth Leader?
A: I’m looking forward to so many things—having focused mentorship, being able to build my skills, and working with students my age is what excites me the most about this program.
Sebastian Holland, age 17
First-year Fuego Youth Leader in Glass Flameworking
School: Mira Monte High School
Q: What kind of art do you plan to make this summer?
A: This is my first time creating something in Glass Flameworking after working with ceramics and digital art. I want to incorporate some humor and character design into my finished artwork.
Walter Yip, age 18
Second-Year Fuego Youth Leader in Bike Shop
School: NYU
Q: Why did you want to return for a second year as a Fuego Youth Leader?
A: Having access to the tools and experience of The Crucible is really nice. This is not something I could do at home. Plus, having the chance to connect with the community, like folks at City Slicker Farms, has been a great experience.
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